Graaff Reinet Mouse Ground Spider | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
Family: | Gnaphosidae |
Genus: | Xerophaeus |
Species: | X. rostratus |
Binomial name | |
Xerophaeus rostratus |
Xerophaeus rostratus is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae. [2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Graaff Reinet mouse ground spider. [3]
Xerophaeus rostratus is recorded from three South African provinces: the Free State, Eastern Cape, and Gauteng. [3]
The species inhabits the Grassland and Nama Karoo biomes at altitudes ranging from 778 to 1492 m above sea level. Xerophaeus rostratus are free-living ground dwellers. [3]
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Xerophaeus rostratus is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The species appears to be sufficiently widespread despite being known only from a few specimens. More sampling is needed to determine the species' range, but there are no significant threats. [3]
The species was originally described by W. F. Purcell in 1907 from Graaff-Reinet. The species has not been revised but is known from both sexes. [3]